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Men Explain Things to Me Paperback – September 1, 2015

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 5,105 ratings

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In her comic, scathing essay “Men Explain Things to Me,” Rebecca Solnit took on what often goes wrong in conversations between men and women. She wrote about men who wrongly assume they know things and wrongly assume women don’t, about why this arises, and how this aspect of the gender wars works, airing some of her own hilariously awful encounters.
She ends on a serious note― because the ultimate problem is the silencing of women who have something to say, including those saying things like, “He’s trying to kill me!”
This book features that now-classic essay with six perfect complements, including an examination of the great feminist writer Virginia Woolf ’s embrace of mystery, of not knowing, of doubt and ambiguity, a highly original inquiry into marriage equality, and a terrifying survey of the scope of contemporary violence against women.

Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit is the author of eighteen or so books on feminism, western and indigenous history, popular power, social change and insurrection, wandering and walking, hope and disaster, including the books Men Explain Things to Me and Hope in the Dark, both also with Haymarket; a trilogy of atlases of American cities; The Faraway Nearby; A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster; A Field Guide to Getting Lost; Wanderlust: A History of Walking; and River of Shadows, Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West (for which she received a Guggenheim, the National Book Critics Circle Award in criticism, and the Lannan Literary Award). A product of the California public education system from kindergarten to graduate school, she is a columnist at Harper's and a regular contributor to the Guardian.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This slim book seven essays, punctuated by enigmatic, haunting paintings by Ana Teresa Fernandez hums with power and wit."
Boston Globe

"[Solnit's] ability to make a landscape into a text is present in every piece of writing she’s ever done, and especially here. Solnit understands that our minds are also landscapes, that they are uncharted territory and we must constantly have something left to discover within ourselves. When men explain things to me, personally, it’s like feeling someone else draw up the borders of my brain. When men explaining things” becomes a concept, we react so strongly because it’s a map that we can use to bring us back to ourselves. The terrain has always felt familiar, but
Men Explain Things To Me is a tool that we all need in order to find something that was almost lost."
National Post

"Where opponents would argue that feminism is humorless and superfluous,
Men Explain Things to Me is a compelling argument for the movement's necessary presence in contemporary society. It approaches the subject with candor and openness, furthering the conversation and opening a new Pandora's box that's apt to change the way we talk about women's rights."
Shelf Awareness

"It is feminist, frequently funny, unflinchingly honest and often scathing in its conclusions."
Salon

"A necessary read in these fraught times. Starting with the title essay, which went viral and inspired the ever-useful term mansplaining,” Solnit writes powerfully about the ways in which power is wielded in today’s society, and brings awareness to the staggering inequalities that we wrestle with on a daily basis."
FlavorWire

"Sharp-witted and bold... quintessential Solnit."
Publishers Weekly, "Things We Like This Week" Blog

"Sharp narratives that illuminate and challenge the status quo of women's roles in the world. Slim in scope, but yet another good book by Solnit."
Kirkus Reviews

"I can’t place this book as anything less than a brilliant, varied, and thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely an addition to my list of feminist faves. With that, I urge you to get to your favorite bookshop or library and snag a copy of Men Explain Things to Me. Pull up a chair, brew something tasty, and venture into the wilderness of what a changed world might look like."
Lip

About the Author

REBECCA SOLNIT is the author of more than twenty books, including Orwell’s RosesHope in the DarkMen Explain Things to MeA Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster; and A Field Guide to Getting Lost. A longtime climate and human rights activist, she serves on the board of the climate group Oil Change International, and the advisory boards of Dayenu and Third Act.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Haymarket Books; Updated edition (September 1, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1608464660
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1608464661
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 0.7 x 7.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 5,105 ratings

About the author

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Rebecca Solnit
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Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit is the author of seventeen books about environment, landscape, community, art, politics, hope, and memory, including the updated and reissued Hope in the Dark, three atlases, of San Francisco in 2010, New Orleans in 2013, and New York forthcoming in October; 2014's Men Explain Things to Me; 2013's The Faraway Nearby; A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster; A Field Guide to Getting Lost; Wanderlust: A History of Walking; and River of Shadows, Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West (for which she received a Guggenheim, the National Book Critics Circle Award in criticism, and the Lannan Literary Award). A product of the California public education system from kindergarten to graduate school, she is a columnist at Harper's and frequent contributor to the Guardian newspaper.

She encourages you to shop at Indiebound, your local independent bookstore, Powells.com, Barnes & Noble online and kind of has some large problems with how Amazon operates these days. Though she's grateful if you're buying her books here or anywhere....

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
5,105 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the essays thought-provoking, inspiring, and optimistic. They describe the book as eye-opening, profoundly incisive, and graceful. Readers also find the humor wryly funny and great for people seeking humor. Additionally, they say the book is authentic, painfully true, and well-framed opinions are always supported by facts. In addition, they describe the pacing as refreshing and encouraging. However, some customers feel the title is deceitful and disjointed. Opinions are mixed on the ease of reading, with some finding it straightforward and quick, while others say it's a quick read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

153 customers mention "Thought provoking"143 positive10 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking. They appreciate the meticulous research and clear prose. Readers describe the author as honest, caring, and inspiring. They also mention the sense of hope in her writing is impressive.

"...Though Ms. Solnit has a very strong authorial voice, in reading some of her other books on walking, solitude, and Orwell, I have never thought of..." Read more

"...I complain: While her arguments are culturally important and her writing is strong, Solnit’s rhetoric seems, at times, deliberately hyperbolic and..." Read more

"...I want to start by saying the author’s grip of prose, presenting facts, and painting the “bigger picture” are truly fantastic...." Read more

"...I was blown away by the breadth of her knowledge combined with her wonderful mind which allows her to drift from one idea or subject to another and..." Read more

28 customers mention "Eye opening"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book profoundly incisive, with potent visual and verbal images. They also describe it as graceful, eloquent, and moving. Readers mention the book is fascinating, inspiring, and insightful.

"...are intelligent, clear-sighted looks at a massive, difficult, dangerous topic...." Read more

"...of where we are today with gender inequality with great attention, detail, care, and deeply powerful, expertly crafted prose...." Read more

"...Solnit is incisive, angry, necessarily harsh in her judgment of the kind of societies which protect the criminal and blame the victim,..." Read more

"...All the same, it was an interesting and thought-provoking read, and I recommend it - especially for male readers, it may open your eyes a little bit..." Read more

25 customers mention "Humor"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wryly funny, witty, and honest. They also say it's great for people seeking humor or a different perspective on many issues facing society. Readers also appreciate the author's excellent writing and depth of knowledge.

"Pros: Excellent writing. Dark humor.Cons: Title and description are very misleading...." Read more

"...is, in fact, the author of the book he's recommending to her, is wryly funny...." Read more

"...This is a wonderful book, both humorously written and sadly true...." Read more

"...Men Explain Things to Me" is still fresh and funny and outrageous. "..." Read more

11 customers mention "Authenticity"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book authentic. They say it's well-framed opinions supported by facts. Readers also appreciate the concise language and well-documented source material.

"...It is 100% true and 100% real. Solnit does us all a public service with her writing, research, and compassion...." Read more

"...reaching effects but that doesn't change the fact that this book had the ring of truth or that it has value...." Read more

"Truer words were never written. Her well-framed opinions are always supported by facts...." Read more

"...Though it describes how abysmal certain situations are it also delivers facts which indicate changes are occurring and hope that they will continue..." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing unusual and refreshing. They say the book keeps their attention and leaves them feeling encouraged and emboldened.

"...Men Explain Things to Me" is still fresh and funny and outrageous. "..." Read more

"This book started out really well - kept my attention. Then about 1/4 the way through I got very bored and was hard to keep interested...." Read more

"...Her outlook is positive, which is unusual and refreshing!" Read more

"That's all I have to say. She is amazing. I have been passing it around to my friends to read. 10/10" Read more

20 customers mention "Ease of reading"13 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the ease of reading the book. Some mention it's straightforward and succinct, while others say it's difficult to follow and navigate some sections.

"...are intelligent, clear-sighted looks at a massive, difficult, dangerous topic...." Read more

"...Being a survivor, it is challenging to navigate some sections...." Read more

"......" Read more

"...It's also a quick and easy read for those who balk at the word essays." Read more

11 customers mention "Violence level"5 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the violence level in the book. Some mention it's fierce, punchy, and harsh. Others say it repeatedly brings up horrific incidents and is very upsetting. Readers also mention that the patronizing behaviors are uncomfortably familiar.

"...her experience as a woman is much more in evidence; however, she is not strident...." Read more

"...This book often and repeatedly brings up horrific incidents in a way that doesn't offer anything new and without any deeper analysis...." Read more

"...Her prose is strong and forceful, and she writes with stirring— at times contagious—- conviction...." Read more

"...sluts if they don't want to be raped, the accounts are horrifying, infuriating, and depressing because rape culture feels systemic and unchangeable...." Read more

8 customers mention "Title"0 positive8 negative

Customers find the title misleading, disjointed, and inconsistent. They also mention the issues are tangled and the book lacks intersectionality.

"...--TLDR: The writing is good, but the title is deceptively mild. You will not be reading about men explaining things to women...." Read more

"...In truth, the issues are so tangled, and there's so much to unpack about women's issues, rape, gun violence (yes even that) and so much more that..." Read more

"...The title and intro is a bit deceiving as it begins rather cheeky and light-hearted...." Read more

"...Also, the title is a bit deceitful. Still, I did learn a few things which was the goal." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2024
This is now the fifth of Ms. Solnit’s books I’ve read, though the title essay here is probably her most well-known piece of writing. In it, she describes a situation where an unnamed man at a party tries to explain to her a book she herself has written. Though I don’t think she coined the term “mansplaining”, this essay certainly was in the vanguard of the development of the concept. It does so in a way that should be read by everyone.

Though Ms. Solnit has a very strong authorial voice, in reading some of her other books on walking, solitude, and Orwell, I have never thought of her as a particularly feminist author, a descriptor that might turn readers off. Here in these essays, obviously, her experience as a woman is much more in evidence; however, she is not strident. I do not like stridency in anyone making an argument whether it be for atheism, religion, politics, or anything else that stirs up disagreement and emotion. Like my favorite writers on any subject, she has a balanced approach that welcomes readers instead of insulting them or shutting them down.

I still remember the first time I came across a book of Ms. Solnit’s sitting in the window of an independent bookstore on the east side of Manhattan—A Field Guide to Getting Lost. Since then, I have developed a great love and respect for her work. I have never found a book of hers disappointing. And that includes this one.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2015
I bought this book for my brother-in-law shortly after my sister gave birth to a daughter. I thought it would be a fun “Hey, you have a daughter, this might be a good thing to start thinking about”-type gift. And so he didn’t feel totally alone while reading it, I bought myself a copy as well.

Solnit is clearly a powerful mind and talented writer. Her prose is strong and forceful, and she writes with stirring— at times contagious—- conviction. The book’s most powerful essays (“Men Explain Things To Me” and “#YesAllWomen”) are intelligent, clear-sighted looks at a massive, difficult, dangerous topic. It’s saddens me to applaud Solnit for her courage in writing this, if only because that acknowledges the typical backlash against women who speak out against misogyny, but she IS courageous and that alone warrants commendation.

The book starts out with a funny, almost playful anecdote about being mansplained to by a pompous idiot at a party in Aspen, but then quickly moves into darker waters. Solnit goes on to use politics, art, history and new media as springboards for discussing the interconnectedness of cultural misogyny and how mansplaining and rape can be viewed as existing on a continuum. Towards the end of the book she summarizes this nicely: “It’s a slippery slope. That’s why we need to address the slope, rather than compartmentalizing the varieties of misogyny and dealing with them separately.” (p. 134) It’s a new way of looking at an ancient problem, articulated in a way that I don’t think I’ve heard before, and Solnit rounds out her case by anticipating counter arguments (i.e. men being falsely imprisoned for rape) and responding to them to the degree that they deserve.

So here’s the part where I complain: While her arguments are culturally important and her writing is strong, Solnit’s rhetoric seems, at times, deliberately hyperbolic and meant to divide readers. On pg. 57 she describes the case of Ariel Castro, a man accused of imprisoning, torturing and sexually abusing three women as being “a vicious version of the traditional [marriage] arrangement.” Later on in the book (p. 153) she takes a similar swipe at capitalism: “There’s more that we need to be liberated from… a system that serves environmental destruction and limitless consumption…” And beyond that there’s a general celebration of revolution, (non-violent) anarchy, as well as Solnit’s insistence that this is, indeed, “a war.” In other words, if you’re traditional / conservative / old-fashioned, then chances are you’re probably going to feel pretty alienated while reading this, if not all out attacked. I don’t consider myself conservative, but there were still times when I felt myself getting defensive. With that said, I was less annoyed with this on ideological terms than I was by what felt like a tactical mis-step. Simply put: This is a wise book. This is an important book. A lot of people should be reading it and absorbing it's message. And I could suddenly feel thousands of readers— good people who’s minds are ready to be expanded— fleeing from it’s very positive message, because they were being lumped in with rapists and murderers. I was frustrated because I felt like the book was preaching to the choir and, in-so-doing, entrenching conservatives deeper into their current belief systems.

One could argue that this book isn't intended to convert and so it's unfair to judge it by those standards; that it’s a celebration and reminder of what’s already been accomplished in the fight for gender equality, and that now it’s up to someone else to write the gentler, more palatable book that eases The Other Side into progressive thinking. And you know what— that may very well be the case. In the meantime, I encourage conservative thinkers who are interested in reading this to do so with an open mind instead of just looking for things to disagree with. Because the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of what’s discussed in this book really has nothing to do with superficial left / right politics and everything to do with how we want our nieces/daughters to be treated as they grow up in the world. And that feels like something we can all agree on.
1,016 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2023
This is easily one of the best, most concise books on the experiences of women that I have ever read. It is not an easy read in that the subject matter is heavy, but it’s absolutely necessary for each of us to read, understand, and confront these truths if we are to better our society. It is 100% true and 100% real. Solnit does us all a public service with her writing, research, and compassion.

I recall reading one review left by a woman who took issue with the reality of mansplaining existing on a continuum of violence against women. But, denial is a river in Egypt. I understand that it may be uncomfortable for some people to hear these things, both men and women, but IMO it’s better to live in reality than to find comfortable ways of denying or minimizing it (which keeps us all in the same sad place)- And which, as many women know, is a game you’ll never win.

Solnit walks us through the landscape of where we are today with gender inequality with great attention, detail, care, and deeply powerful, expertly crafted prose.

A great big, thank you to her, and to the women and men here who recognize the tremendous value of this book and the urgent need for change that is the call of modern feminism.
16 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Julia T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Entender la expresión "mansplaining"
Reviewed in Mexico on June 30, 2023
Importante leer buenos libros sobre feminismo. Bien escrito. Buena información.
kapila rao
5.0 out of 5 stars G
Reviewed in India on October 12, 2024
I read the whole book it’s good & as an Indian all the articles you mentioned especially Nirbhaya’s case I felt deeply connected with the book
men but why always a men is the question men should consider
kirimiumau
5.0 out of 5 stars da leggere
Reviewed in Italy on April 6, 2024
I really love this kind of journalism. I found Solnit style compelling, and the subject of her writing should be known from more people.
Emeline
5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait !
Reviewed in France on April 9, 2023
J'ai adoré le lire !
Romero Ruiz
5.0 out of 5 stars Todo correcto y muy rápido
Reviewed in Spain on January 16, 2023
Me ha gustado el poder seguir la situación del producto en todo momento